1st Time RV'n from NW Ohio!

[JustJeepy]

Hello. Just purchased our first Travel Trailer, and frankly not sure we did the correct thing. I was directed here by a user from a RV Forum I belong to, for advice about towing an travel trailer with a Jeep. My personal vehicle is a TJ, and after some research, I've all but given up on being able to use it. The Jeep in my Signature is my wife's. So, I'll be posting some questions in the appropriate Thread(s) later.

About me? I'm a coffee consuming, God fearing, gaming geek, with a passion for Jeeps. And an avid primitive tent camper, or was until age caught up with me! Can't even do air mattresses anymore 'cause of the back pain, and the wife won't tent camp at all, since I damn near froze us all to death (not really, but according to her, just because the temperature dropped to the low 30s. And the tent heater failed. ) in Oct. of 2016.

So a camper is my best bet to get us back into the outdoors, and to hit some Jeeping events. I should mention, we have a daughter with a severe food allergy, which means we have to cook most of our food when we are away from home. So, since we are not camping now, it's either a hotel with a kitchen, or a cabin with a kitchen; but maybe, we can make this RV thing work!
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[Lake5er]

Welcome, sure you will make the RV thing work! Best Time Ever!

[Reverse_snowbird]

Welcome to the forum! You've listed all good reasons to go camping.

You need to check the owners manual for the towing capacity for that Jeep. If you have one with a towing package, you might be ok. Then you need to check the GVWR on that trailer. That would be a good starting point to see if it might be possible.

[wvyankee2]

You are way over your towing capacity in that Liberty. By about double. I would not attempt it. Wheel base too short for stability, and you will kill that motor trying to pull 4000 pounds. I would suggest looking at a truck, or a Grand Cherokee if hooked on a Jeep. Need something with at least 5000 pound towing capacity.

[JustJeepy]

Originally Posted by wvyankee2

You are way over your towing capacity in that Liberty.

Not according to my owners manual, and the Jeepers on the KK Forum I talk to.... But it's more than I am comfortable pulling with the Liberty, especially with the campers frontal area... I didn't know frontal area was a thing to consider until yesterday.

[JustJeepy]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Welcome to the forum! You've listed all good reasons to go camping.

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

You need to check the owners manual for the towing capacity for that Jeep. If you have one with a towing package, you might be ok. Then you need to check the GVWR on that trailer. That would be a good starting point to see if it might be possible.

The campers weight is within the Jeeps towing range, but still more than I am comfortable able with.


I'll get the details together in a post soon... thanks to you all!

[geeman53]

Welcome from SW Ohio, enjoy your Roo !

[bikendan]

3 things owners of smaller tow vehicles often don't consider.
1. As you said, exceeding frontal area limits
2. Vehicle payload capacity
3. Short wheelbase

Towing capacity should be considered AFTER those 3.

[JustJeepy]

Originally Posted by bikendan

3. Short wheelbase

This is what killed my dream of towing with the TJ.

[3boxerss]

Welcome to the forum from another NW Ohioan

[JustJeepy]

Originally Posted by 3boxerss

Welcome to the forum from another NW Ohioan

We may actually get some warm weather today!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by JustJeepy

3. Short wheelbase.

This is what killed my dream of towing with the TJ.

In over 40+ years of towing various trailers with various vehicles, this is the single most thing that has caused me concern.

I've towed with overweight trailers, underrated vehicles, and having all sorts of mechanical issues on one side or the other of the towing combination (on occasion) when it was absolutely necessary to do so.

By using caution and a bit of "McGuyvering", I was able to get by. But in a situation where using a very short wheelbase vehicle was necessary, there was nothing that one could do to make the tow less threatening.

I'll advise you to rethink your concept and consider a different plan.

[cavie]

What's that famous line......I think we're gonna need a bigger boat! Boom Boom, Boom Boom, Boom Boom………….

[JustJeepy]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I'll advise you to rethink your concept and consider a different plan.

I'm NOT towing with the TJ. Unless you meant something else...?

[Nascon]

Sometimes it’s hard to convince people of the danger of the improper set up. Given the probability of a disaster I understand. Until you reach the point of failure like I did. Don’t risk your life and others, use the proper equipment.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by JustJeepy

I'm NOT towing with the TJ. Unless you meant something else...?

Nope, did not.

Just solidifying your thoughts of using a short wheelbase vehicle (or any inadequate vehicle for that matter) when there are plenty of better choices.

[JustJeepy]

Originally Posted by Nascon

Sometimes it’s hard to convince people of the danger of the improper set up.

So true; having an issue convincing my wife that we'd (well... that I'd) made a bad choice on camper/vehicle combo, after I sold her on the idea in the first place.

Originally Posted by 5picker

Nope, did not.

Just solidifying your thoughts of using a short wheelbase vehicle (or any inadequate vehicle for that matter) when there are plenty of better choices.

Yessir… I paid more attention to what I'd seen others doing (towing) than the reality of the Jeeps limitations.

[BLOODYBILL]

hello and welcome